Running thread: Fan guide to Oregon-USC

I’ll keep this updated throughout this week in advance of Saturday’s 5 p.m. kickoff at Autzen Stadium between Oregon and USC.

ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be in Eugene for the game; the set will not be in the same location as it was for its two appearances here in 2007. It will be located in the Casanova Center parking lot. The show is broadcast live from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and fans are encouraged to attend.

Here’s a photo of the set and the background that will appear on TV:

Parking lots will open Saturday at 5:30 a.m. for all the festivities. They include an appearance by ESPN Radio’s “College GameDay” program, which will also be in Eugene on Saturday. Hosts Ryen Russillo, Brad Edwards and Trevor Matich will broadcast from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Moshofsky Center, and will have interviews with USC head coach Pete Carroll and Oregon coach Chip Kelly. All the action can be seen via webcam and heard via stream on ESPNRadio.com, and on KUJZ-FM (95.3) in Eugene.

The BCS championship trophy will also be in Eugene this weekend. It will be displayed Friday at two Fred Meyer locations—from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the River Road location, and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on West 11th Ave.—and will be at Autzen Stadium for Saturday’s game.

UPDATE: This evening from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., there will be a signing at the UO Duck Store on campus at 13th and Kinkaid for my book, “What It Means To Be A Duck.” I’m scheduled to be joined by former UO players Akili Smith, Keenan Howry and Dietrich Moore.

Keeping in mind that it will be Halloween, I’ve heard suggestions that, along with the usual food and beverages, tailgaters should have some candy on hand so kids in attendance can do some trick-or-treating in the parking lots. Some UO athletes will participate in just such an effort.

Some fans are coordinating a “blackout” campaign for those in attendance, but that’s not something Oregon is promoting. Click here for a story by one of our news reporters on the proposal.

I don’t have any information on the team’s uniforms for the game. The two rumors have been a silver-black-silver look, or all black, but I’ve heard things casting doubt on both those options. Gun to my head, I’d say all black, but that’s a guess as much as anything.

All that said, please use this thread to discuss your plans for game day, and what tailgating tips you’d offer for the best Autzen experience.